Crockett Cougar Chatter
June 2023
Manor's Message
Hello Crockett Cougars!!!
Congratulations on finishing the 2022-2023 school year! Our school year was filled with some hard moments but we were there for each other as a Crockett community to get through those rough times. We also celebrated lots of successes and major achievements from our students and staff, including our Always Victorious Class of 2023 graduation earlier this week. Below is my speech to our seniors (now Crockett alumni)! I wish for each of you to have an awesome summer. Get some rest, read some books, don't work too hard, and have fun! See you all next year!
"Seniors, parents, friends, AISD staff, AISD superintendent and board members, I am truly humbled and honored to be with you today as the proud principal of Crockett Early College High School and welcome you to Crockett’s graduation for the class of 2023!
Students, while you spent some of your high school career in a global pandemic, we still managed to share many experiences during our four years together - hugs and high-fives in the hallways, catching up at the picnic tables in our beautiful courtyard, student performances, games, banquets, ceremonies, pep-rallies, prom, and fun senior activities last week. Seniors, I am happy to say we are finally here at your graduation.
As a graduating class, you have come such a long way since your freshman year and you have had many accomplishments while you have been students at Crockett Early College High School. This year alone, our phenomenal senior athletes in football, volleyball, tennis, swimming , wrestling , softball, baseball, boys and girls track supported all these programs in making it to playoffs and several of these programs advanced to regionals.
Furthermore, our 2023 seniors include 198 amazing Career and Technology Education students who have completed and passed three or more CTE courses in a program of study and 41 Industry Based Certifications have been earned by this senior class, this includes 12 seniors that have earned or will earn their cosmetology license with the state of Texas by the end of July.
Our fine arts seniors also celebrated many successes, including our TexAnns earning Best in Class along with a slew of other accolades, including Academic Excellence awards at both their dance contests this year. Additionally, the 2023 Cougar Band senior class led their marching band to earn a first division rating at UIL Region.
The Class of 2023 also has 82 seniors in Crockett’s graduating class that stayed in AVID through their senior year showing their steady commitment to becoming college ready.
Seniors, together as a graduating class, you have earned over 5.4 million in scholarship dollars.
I am also thrilled to announce we have 32 seniors that have earned or will have earned by July their Associate Degree in General Studies from Austin Community College! That is two years of college for free before they even graduate high school. Excitingly, senior Jonathan Hernandez achieved both his Carpentry Specialization Level 1 certification while simultaneously being an ECHS student AND earning his associates degree as well.
We are also thrilled to announce our eight inaugural Dual Language graduates receiving their Seal of Biliteracy for the first time in Crockett’s history. Please stand and be recognized at this time. Thank you. You can be seated.
Seniors, you all came back to graduate from high school after taking almost a year and a half away from coming to school each day. Many of you worked incredibly hard to support your family during the pandemic and I know it was not easy adjusting to life back on campus, getting into your high school routines again, and catching up on your credits. However, you united and supported each other through your personal and academic struggles. I couldn’t be more proud of all of your hard work, determination, and successes throughout your school career.
At this time, I would like to share a story that was given to me several years ago by a dear friend from a blog written by a local psychologist, Dr. Flint Sparks. It states,
“If you read a recent front page story of the San Francisco Chronicle, you would have read about a female humpback whale who had become entangled in a spider web of crab traps and lines. She was weighed down by hundreds of pounds of traps that caused her to struggle to stay afloat. She also had hundreds of yards of line rope wrapped around her body, her tail, her torso, a line tugging in her mouth. A fisherman spotted her just east of the Farallon Islands (outside the Golden Gate) and radioed an environmental group for help. Within a few hours, the rescue team arrived and determined that she was so bad off, the only way to save her was to dive in and untangle her. They worked for hours with curved knives and eventually freed her. When she was free, the divers say she swam in what seemed like joyous circles. She then came back to each and every diver, one at a time, and nudged them, pushed them gently around as she was thanking them. Some said it was the most incredibly beautiful experience of their lives. The guy who cut the rope out of her mouth said her eyes were following him the whole time, and he will never be the same. May you, and all those you love, be so blessed and fortunate to be surrounded by people who will help you get untangled from the things that are binding you. And, may you always know the joy of giving and receiving gratitude. I pass this on to you, my friends, in the same spirit.”
Seniors, as you continue on your journey, keep our PRIDE core values of Peace, Resilience, Integrity, Diversity and Engagement in your sight. They will guide you through these unprecedented times and allow you to emerge on the other side of this stronger.
So, I’d like to leave you with a blessing as you move on to the next phase of your life.
May the sun bring you new energy by day, may the moon softly restore you by night, may the rain wash away your worries, may the breeze blow new strength into your being, may you walk gently through the world and know its beauty all the days of your life.
Graduates, as each of you move on to your own new journey, I want you to trust yourselves, light up the world around you, be kind, and live your new life with determination, peace, love, hope, and light, and, last but certainly not least, remain Always Victorious. Congratulations Class of 2023!"
Proud Principal,
Kori Manor
Future Important Dates:
July 3-7th: AISD District Closed
June 5-15th: Summer School (Monday-Thursday, 9:15am-1:15pm)
August 1st: Cougar Cub Camp- see more details below
August 14th: First Day Back to School!
AISD works on a summer efficiency schedule Monday- Thursday 7:30-5:30 pm from June 1st- July 27th. Regular hours resume July 31st.
REQUIRED: 2023-2024 Student Online Registration
Class of 2023 Graduates - Graduation Photography Proof Request Form
To Receive Graduation Photography proofs - please fill out this online form: Click Here
If the link above is not active for any reason copy and paste the following link into your web browser:
https://keepitdigital.com/proof-request-form/
**** Reminder - Do not submit your AISD email address with this process because your AISD Email address will be disabled shortly following graduation ***
Any questions may be directed to support@keepitdigital.com or 512-217-3177 (text capable)
Thank you
Keep it Digital - Your Memories Made Better!
Register for Cougar Cub Camp below
Free Summer Meals
Who qualifies for free summer meals:
Students participating in on-site summer programs at eligible schools.
Any child in the community younger than 19.
Enrolled students with disabilities up to 21 years old.
How to find free meals this summer:
Families may use the following tools to find a meal site anywhere in Texas:
Call 2-1-1 to speak to a live operator.
Visit www.SummerFood.org for an interactive site locator map.
Text FOOD or COMIDA to 304-304.
Families may also find district meals sites on the AISD website.
How it works: Children in the community enjoy free meals regardless of household income and without any registration or identification. To receive a free, healthy meal, children may simply visit the cafeteria at any participating site during designated service times. Children do not have to be enrolled in AISD to receive free summer meals.
Elementary Schools: Allison, Andrews, Blackshear, Blazier, Campbell, Casey, Galindo, Govalle, Guerrero-Thompson, Harris, Hart, Houston, Jordan, Joslin, Kocurek, Langford, Linder, McBee, Menchaca, Norman-Sims, Oak Springs, Odom, Ortega, Overton, Palm, Pecan Springs, Perez, Pickle, Pillow, Rodriguez, Sanchez, Travis Heights, Walnut Creek, Widen, Williams, Wooten, Zavala
Middle Schools: Bedichek, Burnet, Covington, Dobie, Garcia YMLA, Lively, Martin, Mendez, Paredes, Webb
High Schools: Akins ECHS, Crockett ECHS, Eastside Memorial ECHS, LBJ ECHS, Navarro ECHS, Northeast ECHS, Travis ECHS
Other Campuses: Rosedale School
Good to know: All AISD meal sites are closed July 3-7. Meal sites and times are subject to change.
Class of 2024 Students in Emergent Bilingual Program
Tell me something good
During the program, Robenalt will be focusing on the neurogenetic basis of alcohol addiction and studying fly behavior. This will involve working with Drosophila melanogaster, learning about courtship behavior, male aggression, learning and memory, alcohol sensitivity, and gene function in behavior.
"I am honored to have been selected for this fellowship," said Robenalt. "I've always enjoyed attending lectures at the College of Natural Sciences. Now, I am excited to study at UT and expand my entomological knowledge."
The HSRA offers various research opportunities across many scientific fields, including biochemistry, biology, chemistry, computational chemistry or biology, environmental science, genomics, materials science, molecular biology, and physics. Participants will work closely with undergraduates and faculty members in a research laboratory, attend weekly seminars by UT faculty and researchers, and present their research at the HSRA Research Symposium.
Robenalt was selected based on his application, which included a personal essay, a list of achievements, and an academic record. In addition to the fellowship, Robenalt has worked as a junior educator and trade counter volunteer at the Austin Nature & Science Center and was a student researcher at the University of Texas Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas, TX studying coastal erosion and the marine life of the Gulf Mexico. He has also served as a volunteer educator at the Zilker Botanical Garden's annual Roots and Wings Festival sharing information about how plants and insects interact in the garden's ecosystem. Robenalt is also a 2023 National Honor Society inductee. Robenalt is also a prolific creative writer focusing on science fiction.
For more information on the High School Summer Research Academy, visit https://cns.utexas.edu/research/pre-college-programs/high-school-summer-research-academy.
Winners of the E4 Competition!
We had several E4 Youth 2023 Showcase & Award winners from Ms. Brown and Mr. Gannaway's classes this year! Click the links below to view their creative work:
Finalist and Best in Show:
Keisly Sohane Mairena, Crockett High School - Principles of Art & Audio Visual
Category: Audio-Video Production / Filmmaking / Animation
Her video is about climate change. Here is a link. She has only been in my class for a few weeks and is from Honduras. She won a brand-new laptop!
https://www.bulbapp.com/u/climate-change~160?sharedLink=f6aa36d3-d8f1-499a-84e5-11edd7b48623
Best Portfolio:
Elliot Spellman-Burks Crockett High School - Graphic Design 2. She won a laptop.
https://www.bulbapp.com/ElliotSpellman/portfolio
Finalists-all received a $50 Gift Card:
Emily Clearman Crockett High School - Graphic Design 2.
Creative Writing: entitled: Pillars (Prolong - Chapter 4)
David Isaiah Soriano Crockett High School - Graphic Design 2
Interactive Media: Custom Character Mod
https://www.bulbapp.com/u/custom-character-mod-by-david-soriano
Richard Wallace George Crockett High School - Principles of Art & Audio Visual
Music: "Better Days" by The Formality
"Better Days" by The Formality
https://www.bulbapp.com/u/better-days-by-the-formality
Caleb Reed Alexander Mcguire, Maximilian Mcguire, Paul Diaz - Crockett High School - Digital Design and Media production and Audio Visual 2
Audio-Video Production / Filmmaking / Animation: The Family Movie Concept Trailer
The Family Movie Concept Trailer
https://www.bulbapp.com/u/the-family-movie-concept-trailer
Alana Williams - Crockett High School - Audio Video 2
Audio-Video Production / Filmmaking / Animation: Panic
https://www.bulbapp.com/lonnieTv04/resume?token=046451e7-c640-45cb-9b57-8b391ac37c77
Cosmetology Success!
Crockett ECHS Dual Language Program recognized on the news!
The dual language program and our Crockett student panelists were recognized by CBS Austin. The Dual Language panelists were an essential part of this 8th-grade Dual Language Milestone Celebration. Our Dual Language program will only continue to grow from here!
A huge Shout out to HEB for your donations to the Life Skills end of the year celebration!
A Message from Your CROCKETT ECHS PTSA
Dear PTSA Members and all our Crockett Community
It has been an amazing year! We've grown and had so many volunteers and businesses help us in numerous ways!
Our community has donated signs, food, and money to help appreciate our students and staff!
We have so appreciated our partnership with the Crockett Administration.
Our Year 2022/23
- The Love Your Crockett Community Events
- Spirit Nights at Conans Pizza
- Mid-Month Cougar Chatter
- Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week
- PTA Healthy Lifestyles Grant Program
We want to say thank you to Sara Freund of PTSA Membership for her extraordinary work on Healthy Lifestyles Program!
A special thanks to Lisa Chromcak our Treasurer and Jason for baking 170 potatoes for our Potato Buffet!
This last year we were lucky to have Esther Williams do a stellar job as the Editor of the Mid-Month Cougar Chatter!
We could not have had all of these successes this year without our wonderful Executive Board!
Introducing Our PTSA Board for 2023/24
- President - Maureen Haskell
- Treasurer: Lisa Chromcack
- Principal - Kori Manor
- Vice President of Fundraising: - Heather Salaz
- Vice President of Membership - Co-chairs: Susan Delgado and Coach Alberto Porras
Open Seats
- Secretary
- Editor for Mid Month Cougar Chatter
We have so much to do next year and if you will be here at Crockett next year, please help us by signing up to be a member, board or Committee member, and or volunteer!
Thank you and one and all! Have a great summer!
See you next year!
Your Crockett PTSA
From Our Treasurer Lisa
”Thank You” to all of our members, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters for the successful year we had this year! I am eagerly looking forward to working with you and for you next year. Have a Safe Summer- Lisa Chromcak
One of our new Board members Susan Delgado - VP of Membership
Susan is a proud parent of a Crockett H.S. sophomore student-athlete and a Bedichek M.S. 7th-grade music enthusiast. She is active with the Football Booster and the Always Victorious Foundation (Basketball Booster) and wants to support all of Crockett through PTSA. It's about being a part of the community.
Business Partner of Crockett ECHS Highlight
Conans Pizza South
Jeremy Shirk the owner of Conans Pizza South is a Crockett ECHS graduate from 1995 and grew up in South Austin. He first worked there in 1992 and worked off and on there between pursuing other careers for many years.
In 2020 the owner decided to shut down Conans. Jeremy quickly offered to buy it and eventually did with the help of investors, bringing on his business partner Bob Feeney and enthusiastic community support! For the last 3 years, they have worked hard to make sure Conan’s is a Pizza Restaurant where the community does not just enjoy the pizza and arcade games, but also hang out.
Jeremy and his staff enjoy being of service to many schools in the south Austin area.
They do consider it a blessing and an honor to engage and support the students, families and host many Spirit Nights and donate pizzas throughout the school year. We are lucky to have Conans so close to us because they are truly a service to Crockett.
Thank you so much, Jeremy, Bob, and all the staff at Conans Pizza South for all you do for Crockett ECHS!
Spotlight on Resiliency
Resilience is the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or significant sources of stress—such as family and relationship problems, serious health problems, or workplace and financial stressors. It is the ability to not only successfully overcome serious challenges, but to grow from the experiences.
What is Resilience? (documento en español) (National PTA)
Building Resilient Kids - What Families Can Do (documento en español) (National PTA)
Building Resilient Kids - Family Action Plan (documento en español) (National PTA)
Resilience Guide for Parents and Teachers (American Psychological Association)
Promoting Resilient Families During COVID-19 and Return to Learning (Center for Childhood Resilience)
Videos on Building Resilience for Yourself & Your Children (Bereaved Parenting)
If you need more support, please reach out to your child’s counselor at Crockett or check the PTA Healthy Minds: Community Resource Finder.
Click Below for All Sports Summer Workout & Athletics Information
Show your Cougar Pride and Follow us on Twitter!
- @Crockett_Sports
- @Coogs2023
- @Crockett2022
- @CrockettSoccer
- @cougar_band
- @CECHSHoops
- @CrockettPlayers
- @CrockettTrack
- @AustinCrockett
- @AISDScholarship
Click the Link below for additional social media pages
https://crockett.austinschools.org/our-school/resources/links
Crockett Early College High School
Principal
Email: kori.crawford@austinisd.org
Website: crocketths.org
Location: 5601 Menchaca Road, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512-414-2532
Twitter: @AustinCrockett